I read several articles proclaiming the challenges of photographing kids – about kids not staying still, not listening and so on. Hey, that’s why they’re kids, right? We adults are the ones who have lost the sense of fun and play.

With kids, one has just got to play with them. Be a funny guy, talk to them and gain their trust. Turn them loose and let them be themselves. Once you’re admitted into their world and circle of trust, your rewards are photos that are natural, spontaneous and most importantly beautiful. The photographer doesn’t have a choice really. I’ve seen enough photos of sour-faced Carbokids to know the fact.

I was invited by my running partner Geraldine to photograph her family last weekend. I’ve not seen Iceman and Little Gem for a long time and at least to my eyes, they still look the same.

KLites would tell you that for the last few weeks, evenings have been wet. Indeed, when the shooting started, the rain clouds were just approaching the park where we were gathered. The gray skies masked the harsh evening sun and acted as a giant diffuser. I’d have liked some sunshine and breeze to provide some backlighting, dramatic shadows and hair play but I also had some ideas I hoped to try out.

Here are just some of the photos I made. I think you can see that they exude the FUN element. Geraldine has a beautiful family and I’m fortunate to be given the chance to preserve the memories for them.

I’ll share with you 3 more photos from this outing in my next post which I think you’ll also like. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy the happy faces below.